6 facts about Rohit Sharma — India’s new opener in Test cricket

Rohit Sharma, the vice-captain of Indian cricket team in limited overs, has found a place as opener in the upcoming Test series against South Africa starting October 2. He, alongside Mayank Agarwal, is replacing the out-of-form KL Rahul against the Proteas from the first Test match in Vishakapatnam.

Here are 6 less known facts about Rohit Sharma

1. A struggler in Test cricket

Rohit Sharma is irrepressible in one day internationals but his Test record leaves a lot to desire. He hasn’t played a single Test match this year after a poor run in 2018. In the eight innings he played last year before he was dropped, Sharma scored a mere 189 runs at an average 26.3. His career average in the longest format of the game is 39.62 compared to other batting star, captain Virat Kohli who averages 53.14.

His average score was 39.62 in Test cricket, much lower than Virat Kohli who played 79 Test matches with an average score of 53.14. Rohit Sharma has never really been a choice in Test cricket, he often does not even get to play even after being in the team.

2. Only 27 Test matches

Sharma made his Test debut in 2013, six years after his first ODI match. So far, he has played 27 matches and scored 1485 runs. Whereas his peer Ajinkya Rahane who debuted in the same year has gone on to play 58 Tests and has scored two and a half times more than Sharma.

3. Rohit Sharma Vs KL Rahul

Sharma is replacing KL Rahul whose career average of 34.59 is worse than that of Sharma. However, Rahul has consistently disappointed with a total score of 664 runs in his last 30 Tests including a 149 against England in a dead rubber at the Oval last year.

4. Opening the batting changed his ODI career.

After his debut in 2007, Rohit Sharma struggled for form for the next six years. Fortune turned around for him 2013, even in ODIs, when he sent in at the top of the order in the Champions Trophy and his stardom in limited overs cricket only improved thereon. He has never opened in Test cricket before? Will the South Africa series be the turning point?

5. Sourav Ganguly is backing Sharma as a Test opener

India’s former captain suggested Sharma’s name as an opener after the latter’s fantastic run at the World Cup 2019 with five centuries. However, while Sharma was picked for the West Indies series, which India won 2-0, Sharma had sit out.

KL Rahul, who got the chance, got off to good starts against a beleaguered Carribean side but failed to build on it.

6. Nickname: Ro’hit’man

Even in his Test debut, he scored centuries in the first two innings he played. This was against the West Indies on tour to India in 2013. He was the fifth batsman to achieve the feat.

Rohit Sharma is the only cricketer to score three double centuries in the world in ODI format. With big scores in all formats of the game, Sharma is difficult to get out once he gets set on the crease. It will be worth a watch if he can bring that skill to the Test arena as well.